Raleigh, N.C. — A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in this country. Experts say 20 percent of all breast cancer patients have a recurrence. Most cancer patients say the key to survival is remaining optimistic, and Catherine Lane is one of them.

Lane is 64. She thought she had defeated the cancer, but—like Elizabeth Edwards told the nation has happened to her—the disease came back in her bones.

But Lane, again like Edwards, is fighting, not surrendering.

“Once they've determined what it is, you just take the bull by the horns and do everything they say to do,” Lane said.

Dr. Jeff Crane is Lane’s oncologist. He said a cancer relapse is humbling for anyone who successfully battled the disease. Attitude and determination matter a lot, though.

“I encourage my patients to think of this not as a sprint, not a 50-yard dash, but a marathon,” Crane says.

The race they face and their pluck are two things Lane and Edwards share.

“I wished I could have hugged her!” Lane said after Edwards and her husband, presidential candidate John Edwards, met the cameras to say that they have a new cancer battle on their hands.

Lane also found her cancer recurrence in a similar way to Edwards.

“Right after Thanksgiving, we were putting up our Christmas tree. I had not an actual fall, but a misstep around the tree trying to decorate it. I fell and I heard a pop before I hit the floor,” she said.

That pop, which turned out to be a fractured hip, saved her life, Lane said.

“It was God-given. I say God-given because I certainly would have never known this until much later, and I think it's in a treatable condition right now,” Lane said.

Crane says that while any relapse is serious, Lane's condition—like Elizabeth Edwards’—is manageable with treatment.

Lane feels the same way. She has undergone radiation and chemotherapy. She says a positive attitude and a deep sense of faith are part of the arsenal, too.

“I wake up every morning thinking this is a wonderful day. I'm thankful to be here. I intend to fight, and I intend to win, and I believe I will,” Lane said.

me-in-raefordMar 23, 2007

okay jeneric...I read the article again...and it still doesn't tell me Ms. Lane's marital status and it certainly doesn't say she (as in Ms. Lane, dah!!!!) is married to that SCUM SUCKING BOTTOM FEEDER you are all aposting!

Get over yourself...katsgoesloco was the first to introduce THE BOTTOM FEEDER into this particular blog...

Prior to that...I personally, and judging by the previous posts, were all quite satisfied to express our support of Ms. Lane!!!

Just in case you haven't caught on...or are to busy forming that circle to sing a rousing chorus of Kumbiya...Left wing zealots do not have a monopoly on either sympathy or empathy...nor do we limit our offers of human support to only other left wing zealots...we think everyone is worthy of humanity

jeneric43Mar 23, 2007

me-in-raeford-READ AGAIN. WRAL did include a reference to John Edwards' wife. Your strong personal attack on John Edwards speaks for itself. Again, prayers to these two women and their families who are dealing with a real issue here. (Not their personal opinion of someone else).

jeneric43Mar 23, 2007

katagegoesloco, my obversvation exactly. I bet all of those who made negative comments were not in support of that particular political candidate and staunch adversaries to begin with.Prayers for both women, regardless of who they are, and who they are married to. AND, PRAYERS TO THEIR FAMILILES, REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING.

me-in-raefordMar 23, 2007

Well Katsgoesloco...I didn't see anything in this article that even mentions Ms. Lane's marital status much less her being married to a SCUM SUCKING BOTTOM FEEDER determined to RAISE MONEY for his HOPELESS POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS.

The article I read about Ms. Lane describe a lady who is fighting to win a very difficult fight and who appears to be, correctly, focusing on HER battle!

katgoeslocoMar 23, 2007

I'll bet that nobody says anything negative about Ms. Lane's choice to live her life, as opposed to the incredibly negative comments about Elizabeth Edwards's choice on the other board.

Catherine Lane, you have my admiration and appreciation! None of us know when our time will come. Your example is the best - live life to the fullest, every day!